New event lets families race together

But the Naperville family couldn't find any races where they could compete together, so they decided to change that.

"Living and training in Naperville, I thought it would be really cool to create a kids- and family-focused race close to where people live, which is why my wife, Stephanie, and I started Go Ballistic Events earlier this year," said Sean Hastings.

The Hastings teamed up with Boston-based Spartan Race, which organizes scores of obstacle-course events all over the world, to create the biggest Spartan Kids Race for kids, teens, families and special needs youths.

Go Ballistic in Naperville will debut Saturday at Frontier Park with waves starting at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. Waves include kids 5 to 12, teens 13 to 19, families and special needs, and are designed to challenge all ages and fitness levels.

"The course has 14 obstacles, and participants can choose the difficulty level at most of the obstacle stations," Hastings said. "We also have a 2K and 4K course, and participants can choose to stop after 2K or keep going to 4K."

When it comes to family racing, kids and parents can help each other over, under and through the obstacles.

"It's not only to get our kids active, but for adults with kids to stay active," Hastings said of one of the race's goals, encouraging families to be active together. "It's a lot different than standing on the sidelines being a coach." Or a spectator (and driver), which is what many parents are relegated to when their kids take up sports. Likewise, many kids can only watch or do mini-races when moms and dads compete in road or adventure races.

"It's the first one of its kind," said Spartan's Daniel Goldstein of Saturday's race. "Our goal is to roll it out and build it out across the country."

Goldstein said part of Spartan's mission is to help people become physically fit and make healthy choices.

"I think the whole Spartan culture is really fascinating," Goldstein said. "It's a community of people who are committed to a healthy lifestyle. What's intriguing to me is that it's a real community."

Not only do participants help each other out on the course, he said, but Spartan events often are catalysts for friendships.

That feeling of community comes into play at the post-race celebration that includes a DJ, food and fun activities.

"[We wanted to] make it more like a festival as opposed to a race," Hastings said.

Race registration ranges from $35 to $55. All racers receive a T-shirt and a finisher's medal. A portion of the proceeds will benefit YMCA of Metro Chicago and the Max Lacewell Foundation, which supports medical research for pediatric brain tumors.

Go Ballistic in Naperville will occupy the entire Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive, which will be closed to other activities during the race. Free parking is available in the Neuqua Valley High School parking lots, which are adjacent to Frontier Park.